New York City Health Department Releases Updated Safer Sex and COVID-19 Guidelines

It may sound odd to some, given the months of “Stay at home” messaging, but the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) has released guidelines on how to have a pleasurable sex life while also minimizing your chance of exposure to the new coronavirus. The guidelines, released on June 8, acknowledge that while New Yorkers should stay home as much as possible to minimize the risk of spreading SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, “Sex is a normal part of life.” Rather than encouraging people to go out and have sex, the guidelines offer strategies to reduce the risk of COVID-19 if you want to have sex.

“During this extended public health emergency, people will and should have sex,” the department says in its guidance. “Consider using harm reduction strategies to reduce the risk to yourself, your partners, and our community.”

Their safer sex tips fall into six overarching categories:

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During the Canada Post strike, the following measures have been undertaken to minimize service disruption to BC-CfE clients and providers.

  • The BC-CfE Laboratory has transitioned to private courier for delivery of outgoing reports and documents. (Lab Contact Information: Phone 604-806-8775; FAX 604-806-9463)
  • The BC-CfE Drug Treatment Program (DTP) will fax outgoing forms and documents to the provider’s office.  (DTP Contact Information: Phone 604-806-8515; FAX 604-806-9044)
  • St. Paul’s Hospital Ambulatory Pharmacy has transitioned to private courier for delivery of medications. (Contact Information: Phone 1-800-547-3622; FAX 604-806-8675).
    Certain parts of BC have experienced medication delivery delays of up to 2 weeks by private courier. The pharmacy suggests clients or providers place medication orders with 2-3 weeks advance notice whenever possible.

During this time, we recommend that documents be faxed or couriered to our sites, versus utilization of regular mail service.

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